Oral Health

Study Finds Energy, Sports Drinks Damage Tooth Enamel; Industry Says Study Not 'Real World' By Kathleen Doheny Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD May 3, 2012 -- Energy and sports drinks can dam...

What Makes Anna Kendrick Smile?

The "What to Expect" star tells us how she copes with being a movie star. Plus three things that bring her joy. By Lauren Paige Kennedy the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Anna Kendrick is quick...

Can I Change the Shape of My Teeth?

Yes, you can, our dental expert says, and it doesn't necessarily involve orthodontia. By Gwen Cohen Brown, DDS the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Q: Can I change the shape of my teeth? ...

8 Ways to Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Our expert shares his tips on keeping your teeth in tip-top shape. By Heather Hatfield the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Eric Yabu, DDS Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the ABCs of oral health, but they're...

When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist?

The best time for that first visit may be earlier than you think, our expert says. By Eric Yabu, DDS the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Q. How old should my child be before I make his ...

Is There Proof Gum Disease Causes Heart Disease?

New Statement by the American Heart Association Stirs Controversy By Brenda Goodman, MA Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD April 18, 2012 -- Contrary to what had been "accepted" thinking by man...

Coping With Dental Phobia

Going to the dentist is less painful than it used to be. So is talking to your dentist. By Lisa Zamosky the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Eric Yabu, DDS Does the thought of succumbing to the dentist's chair s...

Health Tip: Dealing With Dry Mouth

-- Dry mouth is more than just uncomfortable. A lack of saliva to moisten your mouth also can lead to tooth damage, the American Dental Association warns.The association offers these suggestions for people with dry mouth:Chew sugar-f...

Don't Fear the Dentist

Experts share tips to help you overcome your fear of the dental chair. By Richard Sine Feature Reviewed by Alfred D. Wyatt Jr., DMD John Gamba was 9 years old when a dentist failed to anesthetize a back molar p...

More Reasons Why You Should Floss

We know you hate it, but flossing really does preserve the health and aesthetics of your smile. Here's how to do it right. By Lisa Zamosky the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Alfred D. Wyatt Jr., DMD Every six m...

Health Tip: Protect Your Kids' Teeth From Cavities

-- Monitoring your child's diet and limiting sugar intake can help protect the child from cavities.The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these suggestions to promote healthier teeth:Offer only water or low-fat milk to your ch...

FDA Warning on 39 Million Electric Toothbrushes

Serious Face, Mouth Injuries From Arm & Hammer, Crest 'Spinbrush' By Daniel J. DeNoon Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Feb. 17, 2012 -- The Spinbrush electric toothbrush -- heavily markete...

Adele's Grammy Comeback After Vocal Cord Surgery

Changes in Voice Following Procedure Are 'Very Rare,' Expert Says By Matt McMillen Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Feb. 10, 2012 -- The Grammy Awards are the first live performance for Adele,...

Toothbrushes: When to Replace Them, Where to Keep Them

Your toothbrush may be nastier than you think. Find out when to ditch it. By Stephanie Watson Feature Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Do you know what's lurking on your toothbrush? Your toothbrush is loade...

Health Tip: Troubled by a Toothache?

-- A toothache can be a real pain, but you can take steps to care for tooth discomfort.The American Dental Association offers these suggestions:Rinse your mouth with warm water.Very gently clean between teeth with floss.Don't apply a...

The Health Perils of Gum Disease

By Joanne Barker Feature Reviewed by Steve Drescher, DDS Like a lot of people, Susan Karcz didn’t often think about her gums. “People tend to pay more attention to teeth,” she says. “You can see them, for one...

Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection

By Joanne Barker Feature Reviewed by Steve Drescher, DDS Years ago, a physician who suspected heart disease would probably not refer the patient to a gum specialist. The same went for diabetes, pregnancy, or just abo...

Find out what causes bad breath, and how to prevent the embarrassment of halitosis.

By Wendy C. Fries Feature Reviewed by Steve Drescher, DDS Bad breath or halitosis, whichever you call it; you definitely don't want it. Yet bad breath is as common as many of the foods and conditions tha...

Licorice Root May Cut Cavities, Gum Disease

Chinese Licorice Root May Help Prevent, Treat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease By Matt McMillen Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Jan. 6, 2012 -- A substance known as the main ingredient of a clas...

Change Your Breath From Bad to Good

Bad breath is embarrassing, unpleasant, and all too common. These eight easy tips will sweeten your breath for good. By Sarah Albert Feature Reviewed by Steve Drescher, DDS We've all found oursel...

Oral Health: Mouth-Body Connection

Teeth and gums reveal the inside story of your overall health. Find out what your dentist knows about you. By Heather Hatfield the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Steve Drescher, DDS Opening your mouth is som...

Studies in Mice May Offer Clues to Cleft Lip

THURSDAY, Dec. 1 -- The genetic repair of cleft lips in mice embryos could eventually lead to new ways to treat and prevent the birth defect in humans, U.S. researchers report.The scientists pinpointed the role of genes for specific ...

Watch What You Eat After Teeth-Whitening, Expert Says

SATURDAY, Nov. 19 -- Eating certain foods and avoiding others can help keep your teeth white after you've used an at-home whitening kit or had cosmetic bleaching, an expert says."For many individuals who have had good results with ei...

Getting Your Teeth Cleaned May Help Your Heart

Study Shows Professional Teeth Cleaning Is Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke By Charlene Laino Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Nov. 16, 2011 (Orlando, Fla.) -- Getting your tee...

The Importance of Early Dental Visits

Taking your children for oral checkups helps ensure a healthy mouth and healthy attitude toward dentists. By Lisa Zamosky the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Eric Yabu, DDS At the sight of my son's first toot...

Jaw Shrinks With Age, 40-Year Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 9 -- The human jaw shrinks with age and that can result in crowded front teeth among the elderly, a new study has found.Swedish researchers looked at plaster molds made of the jaws of dental students in 1949 when the ...

Caps and Crowns (Oral Health)

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth - covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a...

Root Canals (Oral Health)

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. Root canal procedures are performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. During a root canal procedure, t...

Toothache (Oral Health)

A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth that may be caused by: Tooth decay Abscessed tooth Tooth fracture A damaged filling Repetit...

Baby Teeth (Oral Health)

Baby teeth are important because they allow an infant to eat a good diet, allow for proper jaw growth, give the face its form and appearance, assist in the formation of proper speech, and most important, act as "space savers" for adult teeth. Tooth d...